Summary

Obtaining sufficient supplies of energy in an environmentally responsible way is one of the biggest concerns of the 21st century. Of all the problems associated with energy production, none is more complex than those associated with the production of biofuels—or nonfossil fuels derived from biomass—including plant matter, animal wastes, and municipal wastes. Obtaining enough biomass to meet demand requires large tracts of forest to be intensively managed, and it also requires agricultural resources to be diverted from the production of food and feed and toward the production of fuel. Biofuels entail their own special kind of environmental and economic disruption.

There are many types of biofuels, and they are all used in different ways. They are most often used for transportation purposes, usually blended with gasoline or diesel fuel, but they are also used to generate electricity and provide heat for residential and industrial use. Biofuel consumption may be as simple as throwing a log on a fire or as complex as burning a combustible gas derived from plant matter in a combined-cycle electricity-generating unit. Biofuels, Second Edition describes the most common types of biofuels and biofuel technologies and seeks to identify both the advantages and disadvantages associated with their use. This full-color, updated eBook describes the ways that biofuels are used and the technical, social, policy, and environmental consequences of large-scale consumption.

Specifications

eBook

About the Author(s)

John Tabak, Ph.D., performed graduate work at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and received a degree in mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is the coauthor of two titles in Facts On File's Science and Technology in Focus set, and the author of the acclaimed The History of Mathematics set and Significant Gestures: A History of American Sign Language, a social and scientific history of one of North America's most unique languages.

Standing Order Plan

A Standing Order Plan saves you both time and money without risking a penny of your acquisitions budget. The number of copies you indicate of each new title under the plan you select will automatically as the new edition becomes available. If, for any reason, you wish to cancel your subscription to the plan, please contact our Customer Service Department.

Standing Order Plan available for The World Almanac® for Kids:Plan WK1 Single-title hardcover edition at 20% discount

You can use this order form (pdf) to sign up for any of our Standing Order Plans, or you can contact our Customer Service Department: